Late and Former Names of Streets of the Old Districts of Northern Liberties, Kensington, Port Richmond and Spring Garden

The streets west of Broad Street, running north and south, were numbered from the Schuylkill, which was very confusing to strangers.

On December 8, 1853, Councils gave them new names. Schuylkill Eighth became Fifteenth Street. Schuylkill Seventeenth Street. Schuylkill Fifth became Eighteenth Street. Schuylkill Fourth became Nineteenth Street. Schuylkill Third became Twentieth Street. Schuylkill Second, and Ashton Street to Twenty-third Street.

In popular language High Street was always called Market Street, Mulberry was known as Arch Street, Sassafras as Race Street, and Cedar as South Street. In deeds and in ordinances they were invariably designated by the ancient name. After 170 years of attempt to bring the legal titles into common use, Councils abandoned the contest and gave to those streets their popular names.